Girl Day!

After reading my friend Ang's blog about their trip to the zoo I knew I needed to take the girls! We use to go to the zoo all the time when we lived at the "U" because it was literally one minute away, but since we've moved, we haven't gone in forever. Last Friday morning I woke up, checked the weather and saw that Friday was the best day of weather for the next week, so we dropped everything and headed to the zoo. It was a fun girl day!
Brynn loved all the animals of course and babbled and babbled the whole day. The best part was when she fed the turkeys a chicken nugget before I could stop her! I thought they were going to bite off her hand but luckily they only went for the food. I was worried some worker was going to scold us for feeding the animals.
Addy did great too! She spent much of the time talking about the animals and what letter of the alphabet they start with. She walked the whole time and never complained. The it was a perfect fall day and it wasn't crowded at all. We loved it!

Brynn with the turkeys

Is this baby elephant not the cutest thing?

After we returned from the zoo we went to pick out our pumpkins.

We haven't carved them yet, only dug out the guts and cooked the seeds...yummy!

More pictures once they're carved.

Finally...

It has been forever since I have blogged and I kept telling myself I was done blogging because I was trying to prioritize my time. The last couple of weeks I have individually heard from my mother and my sisters who have all told me they keep checking my blog for updates! Life has become much busier for me these last couple of months but last week I finished my at-home job so now I feel as though I have more time. I joined a dinner co-op and a babysitting co-op, which I love. I also teach Addy's preschool class one week, every five weeks. It all keeps me busy. I have also learned how to can these last few months. I canned peaches, apple pie filling and chicken. Now that I am able to can meat...my food storage will never be the same...and I love it!

Todd left his job in August and has been working at home since. I thought I would see him all the time since he'd just be in the basement but he is busy morning 'til night. I am grateful to him for how hard he works and so excited for him and the coming months and the opportunities that have/are coming his way. The only hard thing with him working at home is sometimes the girls really want to see him and knock relentlessly on the office door until he answers...but that's just cute, right?

Brynn is funny as ever. She is a little joker and a sweetheart. She understands so much of what I say now. If I tell her to do something, she does it. If I ask her who or where something is, she points to it. I can't believe how fast she is growing. She is pretty relaxed and has loves to go outside and play. She especially loves slides and found out how fun it is to go on her tummy! She also loves shoes. She wants her shoes on the minute she wakes up! Of course she loves to put on any of our shoes, too.

Addy is busy, busy. She goes to dance (ballet and tap) on Mondays and then to preschool on Tuesday and Thursdays. We went from nothing ever scheduled to something going almost every day. She has matured so much the last couple of months. For the most part, she behaves so well and is so easy to take places now. I'm really proud of her and what a great sister she has become.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

On Labor Day we went to the lake for one last summer day.

Brynn and Grandpa with Lady dog!

I went with Addy to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point

for one of her preschool field trips. It was so fun because

we had never been there before!

Addy with her preschool friends.

One of the little girls would not be in the picture.
Addy is really into climbing and flipping and swinging on bars.

I thought this was a very attractive photo!


We went down to St. George for the marathon.
I finished...that's all that matters:)

I thought it would be such a cute picture.

Brynn had other ideas!

These two girls are such buddies! I love watching

them become such good friends. Seriously, it makes my heart smile.

Addy is such a sweetie! She has grown up so much in the last few months.

The annual Bassett Halloween Party was on Saturday. Addy was

The Little Mermaid. She didn't want a full red wig, just this clip-in

of red hair. Looks like a mullet, but at least the fake hair had pretty

jewels in it!

Addy in costume, without the fake hair.

Finally old enough to participate in the donut eating contest!

Brynn dressed as a monster playing with her cousin Dallin.

The girls playing in the fun house.

Summer Pictures

We went on a temple walk Sunday. Here are a few summer pictures from our little visit.

Big Girl Stuff

The time has come...Addy is leaving the nest. At least for a few hours a week! She started preschool last week and it has been a hit. We had been debating whether or not to put her in preschool because she just turned three a couple of weeks ago but I found a great program that is perfect for her. Five of the moms in the neighborhood take turns teaching for one week, then we have four weeks off. There was already a schedule in place with weekly themes, letters, and even field trips. Best of all, it's free! YAY! I think it's going to be great!

Addy on her way to her first day of preschool.

A woman in our neighborhood taught a dance class for the little girls this summer. Addy LOVED it and looked forward to it each week. There was a recital last week and it was super cute. Here are some picutres of Addy in her dance costume.

All the little girls lining up to go "on stage"

Addy in the middle of a dance

Birthday Party!

Addy turned 3 this weekend! I really can't believe she is growing up so fast! This little girl is such a character and we are so grateful she was given to us to be part of our family. She talks so well and says the funniest and most grown up things. Her latest line is "Mom (or dad), I have to tell you something." We hear this AT LEAST 100 times a day!

Getting ready to blow out the candles. (Don't judge her hair or clothes! She was cute for church but once we got home she insisted on the hair style and clothes)

Ads helped make and decorate the cake...can you tell?

Addy and Mommy. Happy Birthday Sweetie!
MORE presents!

Addy's Birthday Party at McDonalds.

Good times!

Opening presents.

The special birthday hat.

This was her McDonald's cake. Not super impressed with Ronald's image! LOL

After her McDonald's party on Saturday Todd took her for a Daddy/Daughter special. He let her choose whatever she wanted to do and all she wanted was to go to Grandpa's house and watch a movie in his new theater room! I think she pretty much had the best weekend ever.

Cousin Camp!

The cousins from St. George came up this week! YAY! All the cousins were together. On Tuesday, Grandma took all the little ones to Kangaroo Zoo! They loved it! She is one amazing grandma.

Addy with her St. George cousins.

Grandpa had knee surgery on Thursday so Chrislyn spent the night. It was Addy's first official sleepover at our house and she was EXCITED! It ended up being a very late night, but Addy was so happy having her cousin over I couldn't resist letting them stay up. We then met up for our weekly swim day with the rest of the cousins the next morning.
Cousin camp! Friday was the official event! SO MUCH FUN! Both Addy and Brynn had a great time. Addy spent the night with all the cousins and did really well. Our annual cousin camp has become a cherished event in our home.

Berkley pushing Brynn around.

Uncle Bryan telling the kids stories.

Addy going at the pinata!

Weekend Fun!

This summer has been a blast! It is the first summer in years that I haven't been pregnant or working, so we've been living it up. We have spent countless days swimming, playing in the water, and taking advantage of the hot weather.

My camera broke on the flight back from Wisconsin so I was on a picture hiatus for a couple of weeks. Finally, I bought a new one on Saturday so my blogging days are back!

Friday, Todd and I went on a date to the Hines Mansion in Provo. He didn't get off work until 6pm so we couldn't go anywhere too far, but we found this cute little B&B and it was PERFECT! It was the first time I left Brynn overnight and somehow...she survived! It was so nice to spend time, just the two of us! I sure am a lucky lady being married to such a wonderful husband!

Addy has been asking to "go to the mountains" the past week so Sunday, after church, we took the girls up to Tibble Fork. It was beautiful, like always!